Australian Summer Odyssey

Fly into Adelaide in South Australia to start your adventure exploring the diversity of Down Under. On arrival, you will be driven to the Barossa Valley, a productive wine region characterised by picturesque scenery and verdant vineyards, home to some of Australia’s best wine in particular – heavy, rich reds made with Syrah grapes. You will stay at The Louise, an upmarket boutique hotel that is perfectly placed to appreciate the area and can open doors to exclusive one-to-ones with winemakers, cellars and lunches with artisan food producers of this fertile region.

We recommend a tour of the historic Seppeltsfield winery, home to centuries-old wine and port. You can easily cycle between distilleries and vineyards, coming back for a dip in the hotel’s infinity pool before dinner at upscale restaurant Appellation, matched with local wines, of course. Don’t miss the chance to have breakfast with the kangaroos – accompanied by hot coffee, watch these iconic Aussie animals up close, feeding in the Kaiserstuhl Conservation Park.

You’ll realise just how huge Australia is on your travel day today – driving five hours to Adelaide before flying to Hobart in Tasmania, staying at the waterfront hotel MacQ 01. The journey is worth it to spend three days exploring Tasmania including historic Hobart on the waterfront with cobbled Salamanca Place plus the modern art gallery Mona. Freycinet National Park will hit the spot for nature lovers with the orange-tinged Hazard Mountains ripe for hiking and the white-sand sweep of Wineglass Bay the perfect spot for a sunbathe.

We recommend taking a scenic flight over this picturesque area, landing on Maria Island, home to rare wildlife such as wombats, kangaroos, even the Tasmanian devil.  Enjoy a sumptuous seafood lunch before your flight back to Hobart. On your last day in Tasmania take a day trip to Bruny Island on a gourmet wilderness adventure tasting the delights of this foodie enclave including beer, cheese, honey and shucked oysters – all found or made on the island.

For the last part of your Australian odyssey, you’ll be transported to a wilderness paradise – Lord Howe Island, to stay in the spectacular Capella Lodge. Immersed in World Heritage Listed natural surroundings, this is the time to stop and take a breath. Revel in the natural beauty both above and below the water including a 7-million-year-old extinct volcano, a marine park bustling with underwater life, diverse flora and fauna in the lush vegetation and plenty of white sand beaches to take it all in.

With only 400 people maximum allowed on the island at any one time, Lord Howe is an exclusive experience and one that we recommend booking ahead for.  Spend your days how you please with relaxed, unplanned itineraries which could see you snorkelling, hiking, surfing, scuba diving, fishing or simply enjoying your surroundings. With just nine suites, the emphasis at Capella Lodge is on barefoot luxury – have a cocktail in your outdoor tub, gaze at swaying palms framing mountain views, indulge in a spa treatment using the island’s endemic plants or maybe muse upon the adventures you’ve had, exploring some of Australia’s most incredible sights.